Method of setting tiles

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed for setting tiles on a substrate to which adhesive material has been applied. The method includes disposing a plurality of tiles on the substrate in a pattern comprising a plurality of substantially parallel rows of tiles, where each of the rows comprises a plurality of tiles in a side-by-side relationship. The method further comprises the step of inserting horizontal alignment strips of a compressible, semi-rigid material between the rows of tiles in the pattern to define spaces between the tiles in adjacent rows. The method further comprises the step of installing vertical alignment tabs of a compressible, semi-rigid material between the tiles in each row to define spaces between the tiles in each row. The disclosed method substantially increases the speed at which tile setting may be accomplished.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of setting tiles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Tiles are commonly utilized in the construction of items in the homesuch as floors, kitchen countertops and splash boards, bar tops andbathroom facilities. The tiles used in such applications are usuallysquare in shape, and a plurality of such tiles are laid in a pattern toform the item under construction. Such a pattern comprises a pluralityof rows and a plurality of columns of tiles, where said rows and columnsare usually in an orthogonal relationship to one another.

The setting of tiles in the aforesaid pattern has traditionally includedthe step of establishing a baseline for the pattern. One example of abaseline is commonly referred to as a ledger, while other examples of abaseline include a countertop or floor. An adhesive substance is thenapplied to the substrate, and tiles comprising the first row arepositioned in spaced relationship to one another and to the ledger. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, adjacent tiles 11 and 12 are separatedfrom one another by inserting cross-shaped tile spacers 10 (only one ofwhich is shown) between the tiles. Additional cross-shaped tile spacers10 are utilized to space the tiles in the first row from the baseline,to space tiles in the other rows from one anther and to space tiles ineach row from one another. By using the plurality of cross-shaped tilespacers 10, the goal is to have the tiles in the pattern evenly spacedfrom one another, so that when the adhesive material on the substratehas dried and the cross-shaped spacers are removed, the grout which isinserted in the spaces between tiles has a uniform and even appearance.

In a typical tile setting procedure, a substantial number of thecross-shaped tile spacers 10 are utilized, with at least twocross-shaped tile spacers 10 being inserted between each adjacent pairof tiles in each row and in each column. This procedure is very tediousand time consuming. Additionally, once the adhesive material on thesubstrate has dried, each of the cross-shaped tile spacers 10 has to beremoved before grout may be inserted in the spaces between the tiles inthe pattern. This is also a time-consuming and tedious procedure whichoften involves the use of tools such as needle nose pliers to effect theremoval of the cross-shaped tile spacers 10 from the pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided forsetting tiles on a substrate to which an adhesive material has beenapplied. A method according to the present invention comprises the stepof disposing a plurality of tiles on the substrate in a patterncomprising a plurality of substantially parallel rows of tiles. Each ofthe rows of tiles comprises a plurality of tiles in side-by-siderelationship. A method according to the present invention furthercomprises the step of inserting horizontal alignment strips of acompressible, semi-rigid material between the rows of tiles in thepattern to define spaces between the tiles in adjacent rows. Lastly, amethod according to the present invention comprises the step ofinserting vertical alignment tabs of a compressible, semi-rigid materialbetween the tiles in each row to define spaces between the tiles in eachrow.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive material whichis applied to the substrate may be a latex-based, heavy body mastic,while in another embodiment the adhesive material which is supplied tothe substrate may be an epoxy-based heavy body mastic. In a furtherembodiment of the present invention, the adhesive material that isapplied to the substrate comprises a thin-set cementitious mortar.

In one embodiment, the compressible, semi-rigid material of which thehorizontal alignment strips and the vertical alignment tabs are composedcomprises a plastic material selected from the group consisting ofpolyvinyl chlorides, polybutylenes, polyethylenes, urethanes, andsilicones, while in another embodiment, the compressible, semi-rigidmaterial comprises composite cellulose.

A method in accordance with the present invention further comprises thesteps of allowing the adhesive material that is applied to the substrateto dry, removing the horizontal alignment strips and the verticalalignment tabs from the pattern of tiles after the adhesive has dried,and filling the spaces between the tiles in the pattern with grout.

A method of setting tiles in accordance with the present inventionsubstantially increases the speed at which a pattern of tiles may beset.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tile spacer according to the priorart.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tile spacer of FIG. 1 being utilizedto space tiles from one another in accordance with prior art procedures.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pattern of titles which illustratesaspects of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a pattern of tiles which also illustratesaspects of the method of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that the present invention may take many formsand embodiments. In the following description, some embodiments of theinvention are described and numerous details are set forth to provide anunderstanding of the present invention. Those skilled in the art willappreciate, however, that the present invention may be practiced withoutthose details and that numerous variations and modifications from thedescribed embodiments may be possible. The following description is thusintended to illustrate and not to limit the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a method according to the presentinvention is provided for setting tiles on a substrate 30. A baseline 34is established on the substrate 30, and that baseline 34 may be acountertop, floor or a ledger. Once the baseline 34 is established, anadhesive material is applied to the substrate 34. The adhesive materialmay be a latex-based, heavy body mastic or an epoxy-based, heavy bodymastic. Alternatively, the adhesive material which is applied tosubstrate 30 may be a thin-set cementitious mortar.

In accordance with the present invention, a first row of tiles, which isdesignated ROW 1, is disposed proximate the baseline 34. This first rowof tiles comprises a plurality of tiles 31 which are disposed on thesubstrate 30 in a side-by-side relationship. A horizontal alignmentstrip 32 is disposed between baseline 34 and the first row of tiles 31(ROW 1). Vertical alignment tabs 33 are then disposed between a theadjacent tiles 31 in ROW 1. Thereafter, the tiles 31 in comprising ROW 2are disposed on the substrate 30 and a horizontal alignment strip 32 isdisposed between the tiles comprising ROW 1 and ROW 2. Verticalalignment tabs 33 are then disposed between the adjacent tiles 31 andROW 2. This process is repeated until a desired number of rows of tiles31 has been set on the substrate 30.

A process of setting tiles in accordance with the present invention thusresults in a pattern of tiles 31 comprising a plurality of substantiallyparallel rows of tiles. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe number of rows in a particular pattern will be determined by thearea of the substrate 30 to be covered by the tiles and the size oftiles 31 which are utilized.

The horizontal alignment strips 32 and the vertical alignment tabs 33are composed of a compressible, semi-rigid material, and the heights ofthe horizontal alignment strips 32 and the vertical alignment tabs 33are selected such that they extend above the pattern of tiles set on thesubstrate, which makes for easy removal of the horizontal alignmentstrips 32 and the vertical alignment tabs 33 from between the tiles 31once the adhesive material on the substrate 30 has dried.

In one embodiment, the compressible, semi-rigid material used for thehorizontal alignment strips 32 and the vertical alignment tabs 33 may bea plastic material. Suitable plastic materials include polyvinylchlorides, polybutylenes, polyethylenes, urethanes, silicones andstyrenes. In yet another embodiment, the compressible, semi-rigidmaterial used for the horizontal alignment strips 32 and the verticalalignment tabs 33 may be a composite cellulose material. It is alsoadvantageous that the compressible, semi-rigid material used for thehorizontal alignment strips 32 and the vertical alignment tabs 33 thewaterproof.

Once the adhesive material which is applied to the substrate 30 hasdried, the horizontal alignment strips 32 and the vertical alignmenttabs 31 are easily removed from the spaces between the tiles in thepattern of tiles so that the spaces between the tiles in the pattern maythen be filled with grout.

1. A method of laying tiles on a substrate to which an adhesive materialhas been applied, comprising the steps of: disposing a plurality oftiles on the substrate in a pattern comprising a plurality ofsubstantially parallel rows of tiles, where each said row comprises aplurality of tiles in a side-by-side relationship; inserting horizontalalignment strips of a compressible, semi-rigid material between the rowsof tiles in the pattern to define spaces between the tiles in adjacentrows; and installing vertical alignment tabs of a compressible,semi-rigid material between the tiles in each row to define spacesbetween the tiles in each row.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theadhesive material is a latex-based, heavy body mastic.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the adhesive material is an epoxy-based, heavy bodymastic.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive material is athin-set cementitious mortar.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thecompressible, semi-rigid material comprises a plastic material.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the plastic material is selected from thegroup consisting of polyvinyl chlorides, polybutylenes, polyethylenes,urethanes, silicones and styrenes.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thecompressible, semi-rigid material comprises a composite cellulosematerial.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the compressible, semi-rigidmaterial used for the horizontal alignment strips and the verticalalignment tabs is waterproof.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of allowing the adhesive material to dry, removingthe horizontal alignment strips and the vertical alignment tabs from thepattern of tiles, and filling the spaces between the tiles in thepattern with grout.